Germany's capital, Berlin, is both a city and a federal state (Land). The Berlin Senate is the governing body that fulfills the duties of both the city and Land government. It comprises up to eight senators plus the mayor.
At the state level, the position of Governing Mayor of Berlin corresponds to that of a Minister President of one of the other federal Länder. The Senate meets at Berlin's City Hall (Rotes Rathaus) while the House of Representatives (Abgeordnetenhaus) meets at the Prussian Landtag.
The Land Government of Berlin
The Land Government of Berlin comprises:
- The Governing Mayor
- Eight Senators
The representatives of the Land Government are elected by the Berlin House of Representatives. The Governing Mayor nominates the Senators.
State Government 2011:
 | |
 | |
 | Mayor and Senator for Urban Development and Environment Michael Müller  (SPD) |
 | |
 | Senator for Education, Youth and Science Sandra Scheeres (SPD) |
 | |
 | |
 | Senator for Justice and Consumer Protection |
 | Senator for Economics, Technology and Research |
(Source: Presse- und Informationsamt des Landes Berlin, 2011)
Berlin's administration
Berlin's administration is assured at two levels:
- By the city's central administration and
- By the District administrations
The central administration
The Senate administrations, each led by a Senator, constitute the highest-level state agencies of the Land of Berlin.
The Senate administrations are responsible for
- Taking decisions about basic policy;
- Planning and supervising the overall development of the city;
- Overseeing universities and corporations under public law.
Subordinate agencies:
- Chief of Police (Polizeipräsident),
- Fire Department,
- Authorities administering justice.
The District administrations
The administrative reforms of 2001 created the 12 District administrations that exist in Berlin today.
A District administration consists of the Bezirksamt plus those institutions that have no legal personality (such as District schools).
The District administrations are responsible for:
- District-level affairs;
- Carrying out special duties conferred on them.
The Senate maintains oversight over the District administrations.
(Source: Press and Information Office of the State of Berlin (Presse- und Informationsamt des Landes Berlin) 2007)
(Source: Press and Information Office of the State of Berlin (Presse- und Informationsamt des Landes Berlin) 2007)
